Double aperture plate



1932. v DN 1,846,049

DOUBLE; APERTURE PLATE Filed April 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1709 13/29 @927 gg bis I A. DINA DOUBLE APERTURE PLATE Feb. 23, 1932.

anvzntoz D100 Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGUSIO DINA, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T INTERNATIONAL PRO- JECTOE CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE DOUBLE APERT'URE PLATE Application filed April 22, 1929. Serial No. 358,974.

This invention relates to aperture plates for motion picture projection machines, and more particularly to a movable aperture plate having one or more apertures therein, and means for selectively bringing said apertures into operative position.

An object ofthe invention is to provide a novel aperture plate provided with a readily accessible control for varying, from the outside of the projection head, the position of the plate.

Another object is to provide an improved locking means for securing the aperture plate in a desired position.

A feature of the invention is a vertically slidable aperture plate having a handle associated therewith which extends through the projection head casing into a position accessible to the operator.

Another feature is a locking device having means for compensating for wear of the parts and for positively securing the aperture plate in desired positions for operation.

Various other objects and features will be apparent as thenature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novelfcatures which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a projection head showing the location of the aperture plate and control means;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

ig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing the aperture plate in elevation; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the improved locking mean v ing through the head of the projection machine. Backing plate is preferably provided with a flange 12 by means of which it may be secured to the center wall 13 of s. rojection head in any convenient manner. he particular form of projection head and center wall forms no part of the resent invention and accordingly has not een set forth in detail. The projection head herein comprises a lens housing 14 which is mounted in alignment with aperture 11 for receiving the light rays which are passed through the film and directing them on toa distant screen.

A casing 15 is secured to center wall 13 and forms a closure for the projection head. Door 16 is pivotally mounted to said casin as by hinge 17 and is preferably provid with a window 18 through which the film may be observed. Door 16 is also provided with an inturned flange 19 which contacts with backing plate 10 when in closed'position for completely closing the projection head.

Backing plate 10 is provided with grooves (Fig. 2) in which the fire shutter or other suitable light cut-off apparatus is adapted and is bent at right angles and extends to the rear of the projection head through a slot 30 between the backing plate 10 and flange 19 of door 16 thereby forming a handle 31. Said handle may be covered with any suitable material preferably having heat-insulating characteristics.

Backing plate 10 is provided with tapered shoulders 32 and 33 against which the tapered extension 29 is adapted to bear, to determine the extreme u or down position of the plate. These tapere shoulders exert a wedging action on the aperture plate for drawing the same against shoulder 35 of said backing plate 10 and assuring a proper alignment of apertures 27 or 28 with the apertures 11.

The aperture plate may be held in its upper or lower position in any desired manner. In its lower position it is preferably secured by a threaded screw 36 which is held in threaded engagement with backing plate 10. This screw is preferably provided with a tapered end 37 which cooperates with a tapered hole 38 in extension 29 of said aperture plate. The tapered end of screw 36 may be slightly smaller than the hole 38. Usually this screw is positioned slightly ofi' the center line of thehole 38 so that the screw when in engagement with the plate contacts only with the lower portion of the hole. Consequently the tapered surface 37 serves to draw aperture plate 21 securely against shoulder 32 and to secure the same in its desired position. The aperture plate is also drawnsidewise into its proper location when the surfaces 32 and 37 are in firm contact, thus properly locating the aperture plate. As the parts become worn the alignment is automatically maintained since screw 36 may be adjusted into hole 38 until the tapered end 37 contacts therewith in the manner shown in detail in Fig. 4.

The aperture late may be held in its upper position by satisfactory means, such as the nut and socket means illustrated and de scribed in my copending application, Serial No. 329,335, filed December 31, 1928. -The weight of the plate will cause the tapered surface 32 to firmly contact and properly locate the plate in its lower position.

In the operation of the above described aperture plate, when it is desired to project pictures of a given size, as for example pic'- tures on a film having a sound record incorporated thereon, the aperture plate may be moved to its lower position, thereby bringing aperture 28 in alignment with aperture 11 of backing plate 10. Screw 36 may then be adjusted to lock the aperture plate firmly in its proper position. When it is desired to project pictures of a difierent size, as for example from a film without a sound record thereon, a larger aperture may be required.

6 To obtain this it is only necessary to release eas es wise exposing the film contained in the projection head. This is in accordance with certain fire regulations which require that such adjustments be made while the projection head is closed.

It is to be noted that with an aperture plate of the above type an operator may readily change the size of the aperture in accordance with the particular film being shown. This feature is particularly important where projection machines are used for the alternate projection of sound pictures and motion pictures without sound, although other uses and advantages will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

It will also be understood that there may be only one opening in the aperture plate 23.. Such a construction permits the plate to be used as alight cut-off when the plate is moved to another or second position. Such a cut-ofi' is oftentimes desired when a-change of lens or a change in position of the lenses is desired.

Such a change of lens is desirable when a talking film is being proiected instead of the normal or large size of film.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable aperture plate comprising a base member having an aperture therein, a slidable aperture plate having a plurality of apertures therein, means for mounting said plate slidably on said base member, means for bringing a selected one of said aperturcs into alignment with the aperture of said base member, shoulders formed on said base member and said slidable plate and adapted to limit the movement of said plate and maintain the apertures in correct aligmnent, and

means for locking said slidable member in its desired position comprising a tapered screw carried by said base member and cooperating with a tapered hole in said aperture plate, said tapered screw being offset with respect to said tapered hole in such manner that pressure is exerted thereby on said slidable plate for maintaining said shouldersin contact.

2. An adjustable aperture plate comprising a base member having an aperture therein, a slidable aperture plate having a plurality of apertures therein, means for mounting said plate slidably on said base member, means for bringing a selected one of said apertures into alignment with the aperture of said base member, tapered shoulders car ried by said base member and cooperating shoulders formed on said aiperture plate for limiting the movement 0 said plate and holding the same in its desired positiom-and means for locking said plate in one of its positions comprising a threaded screw having a tapered end cooperating with a tapered hole in said plate, said screw being offset with respect to said tapered hole whereby pressure is exerted for holding said shoulders in engagement.

3. An adjustable aperture plate comprising a base member having an aperture there in, a slidable aperture plate having a plurality of a iertures therein, means for mounting said plate slidably on said base member, means for bringing a selected one of said apertures into alignment with the aperture of said base member, means for locking said slidable member in its desired position comprising cooperating shoulders formed on said base member and said slidable plate for limiting the movement of said plate and a at pered screw carried by said base member and cooperating with a tapered hole in said aperture plate, said tapered screw being of smaller diameter than said tapered hole and being positioned ofi center with respect thereto thereby to compensate for wear of said parts and to cause said screw to exert pressure on said plate and hold said shoulders in engagement.

4. In combination with a projection head having an enclosing casing, a fixed aperture plate forming a part of said casing, a door forming a part of said casing and having a flange positioned adjacent said aperture plate when said door is in closed position, a slidable aperture plate and a handle member therefor comprising a member extended out- ;wardly between said stationary aperture plate and said flange and accessible from the outside of said casing, and a locking screw for securing the aperture plate in adjusted position, said screw being carried in said stationary aperture plate and being located adjacent said handle in a readily accessible position. v

5. In a projection head having an enclosing casing and a door, an aperture plate comprising a base member forming a part of said casing, a slidable member having a plurality of apertures therein, a tapered extension on said slidable member extending at right angles thereto outwardly between said base member and said door and provided with a handle exteriorly of said casing.

wardly from said slidable 6. An adjustable aperture for a projection machine comprising a base member having a tapered aperture therein of suflicient size to transmit the lar est desired pictures, a slidable aperture p ate having a plurality of apertures therein, said slidable aperture plate being mounted on said base member, film guides slidably securing said aperture plate thereto, a tapered handle extending outwardly from said slidable plate and tapered shoulders formed on said base member and cooperating with said handle for positioning said plate in its extreme positions, the outerportion of said handle being angularly disposed and extending outwardly past said base member, and means for locking said aperture plate in its upper position comprising a screw threaded into said base member and having a tapered end cooperating with a tapered bore in said slidable aperture plate.

7 An adjustable aperture plate for a projection machine comprising a base member having a tapered aperture therein ofsufiicient size to transmit the largest desired pictures, a slidable aperture plate havin a plurality of apertures therein, said slida ble aperture plate being mounted on said base member,

lm guides slidably securing said aperture plate thereto, a tapered handle extending outlate and tapered shoulders formed on said base member and cooperating with said handle for positioning said plate in its extreme positions, the outer portion of said handle being angularly disposed and extending outwardly past said base member, means for locking said aperture plate in its upper position comprising a screw threaded into said base member and having a tapered end cooperating with a tapered bore in said slidable aperture plate, the tapered end of said screw being of less diameter than said bore whereby clearance is provided and being positioned off center with respect thereto whereby the effect of wear may be compensated.

a second tapered shoulder carried by said stationary member for positioning said slidable member in its upper position, and locking means for securing said member in its upper position comprising a pin having a tapered end cooperating with a tapered bore in said extension and positioned ofi' center with respect thereto whereby said pin exerts pressure on said slidable member for holding said tapered shoulders in engagement with said tapered extensions and assuring the correct position of said slidable mem- 9. An aperture plate for a projection ma- 5 chine com rising a fixed member and a slidable mem er having a plurality of vertically spaced apertures therein, means for mounting said slidable member for vertical movement a tapered shoulder carried by said fixed member and cooperating with a tapered extension on said slidable member for automatically positioning said members 1 when said slidable member is in its lower-position,

a second tapered shoulder carried by, said stationary member for positioning said slidable member in its upper position, and looking means for securing said member in its upper position comprising a pin having a tapered end cooperating with the ta ered I bore in said extension and ositioned o center with res ct thereto, said extension being provided with a handle member extending angularly thereto.

10. In a projection head having an enclosing casing and a door, an aperture plate comprising 'a base member formlng a part of said casing, a slidable member having a plurality of apertures therein and an extension formed on said slidable member and extend- I 39 ingat right angles thereto outwardly between said casing and said door and provided with a handle exteriorly of said casmg.

11. In a projection head having an enclosing casing and a door, an aperture plate comprising a base member forniin a part of said casing, a slidable member aving a plurality of apertures therein a tapered extension forme on said slidable member and extending. outwardly between said casing and said door to provide a handle, and tapered shoulders formed on said base member in a Exition to engage said tapered extension for iting the movement of said slidable memher and accurately positioning said aper tures, and means for exertin pressure on said slidable member for mamtainin said shoulders in engagement whereby t e selected aperture 15 secured in operative position.

' AUGUSTO DINA. 

